Sometimes you come across an artist that makes you stand back and think. I was lucky enough to cross paths with one of these artists when I was trying to complete yet another degree in art. The artist? Michael Dickins.
The images under each question are part of the exhibition Raising Two White Boys in the South; a collaborative, multi-media installation created by artists Michael Dickins and Dawn Martin Dickins. This installation is a reflection of contemporary Southern thought that has been influenced by deep-rooted tradition, a troubled past, and a desire to both embrace and dispel common stereotypes.
North Georgia Mountains, 35, BFA photography – Georgia Southern University
MFAIA – Goddard College
Blind Willie Mctell
My current visual work puts focus on the snapshot by creating large-scale painterly drawings that resemble photographs. I am currently focusing on banal imagery and images of the everyday. I want to force the viewer to question the importance of the snapshot and its role that it plays/has played within our society and the history of our selves.
Memory also plays a part in my work, both personal memory and societal memory. By societal, I mean what we as a culture choose to remember (or choose to forget) in order to shape it and the people/citizens within it. I am fascinated by the impact that the advancement of photographic technology has had on our culture. My work references technologies ranging from the camera obscura to mobile phone photo apps.
Margaret Mitchell
Joel-Peter Witkin, Gerhard Richter, Chuck Close, Trent Reznor, David Byrne, Robert Rauschenberg, John Cage, Radiohead, Rembrandt, Deep South and Chicago Blues, Andres Serrano, The Black Crowes, Alberto Giacometti, Jackson Pollock…..
Otis Redding
My process is a combination of digital and traditional. It combines photography, printmaking and drawing. It’s a deconstruction process of breaking down a digital images into grayscale values then drawing each value individually, thus putting the image back together again. It’s within this rebuilding process where the decision to include, exclude or alter information is made (a reference, again, to memory). I use a variety of digital imagery, which include, but is not limited to, digital photographs, mobile photographs and movie stills; as well as a variety of traditional materials, which include, but not limited to, graphite, charcoal, oil pastel and woodblock ink.
Eli Whitney
My mouth (meaning outspoken sarcastic/humorous attitude and/or frank candor), saying stupid shit, being selfish.
John Lewis
None as of yet. After a very busy 2010, I am currently seeking gallery representation and exhibition venues.
Clarence Thomas
Nice, tall, cold, amber, craft micro-brew
Howard Finster
My art crush list has grown recently as my work has become more interdisciplinary. I am currently crushing on Jo Dery (drawing, printmaking, animated film-maker), Kahlil Almustafa (“The People’s Poet” – performance poetry, community activist), Kiesha Lalama-White (choreographer), Misty Sol (writer, performance artist, all –around beautiful voice), J. Christopher Matyjasik (digital photographer), Barry Jones (digital video and sound artist) just to name a few. – (those I would love to collaborate with)
The “my wife would give me a pass if they showed up at the door” crushes include Thom Yorke (vocal sound artist, lead singer of Radiohead), David Byrne (musician, sound and installation artists), Trent Reznor (sound artist, Nine Inch Nails), James Turell (lighting designer, installation artist), Alberto Giacometti (drawer, sculptor), Kara Walker (drawer, installation artist), and Joel-Peter Witkin (photographer)
Ray Charles
To see more work of Michael’s please visit his website!
